Ok, I'm betting this topic may already exist, so I apologize if I'm irritating a mod, but I couldn't find it.
What do you do when your job doesn't live up to both your expectations and the description you were given of it? I could be looking at this from the wrong point of view, but I feel like if I were a potential employer, I wouldn't want to see someone who bounces around a lot (and I mean this more in reference to the larger, more commercial companies that tend to keep people for a while as opposed to the fantastic, but usually far poorer paying artistic or one off companies). How long do you feel you should commit to something that is just not a good fit before moving on? Both because I feel awkward explaining to potential employers about a short stint somewhere (currently about 7 months) and, as unhappy as I am with the job, I don't want to leave the group here in a difficult position.
I spent about 5 years out with a cruise line and left when I realized I was getting pretty "institutionalized." I wanted to try something new and stretch some SM muscles that hadn't been used in years. I was looking for an opportunity to grow. So I moved in an entirely new direction to work with the circus. Previously, I had run all of the entertainment venues, technicians, casts and guest entertainers on decent sized ship (2000+ passengers) in a role that was essentially a TD, PSM and Production Manager combined. And I enjoyed it. I was just warn down all the additional duties that come with ship life. After describing the extent of my responsibilities there to my new employer, they told me I was a good fit for the Associate Production Manager position here. However, 70% of my job is PR, which I was specifically told I'd have nothing to do with during my interviews. Another 25% is wandering around, being helpful to anyone I find needs a hand and trying to find ways to stay busy. The other 5% are actually Production Manager duties that I enjoy doing.
Is it acceptable when asked why you want to leave a job to tell the General Manager that you're bored out of your mind (which of course would not be the exact wording I'd use)? I was hoping to be challenged, but this job does not provide that. I also really, really hate PR. My previous job included occasional events, which was fine, but it being 70% of my job is sort of ridiculous to me. Especially without being told that coming in.
Maybe I just needed to vent to some other like-minded individuals to get their take on it. My boyfriend also came over from ships to work here as a musician and loves it. He sort of brushes me off when I complain about the large pay cut and quadrupling of my hours. And, as I mentioned, despite all this disenchantment, I don't actually want to leave the people on the unit. They're a great group of people to work with, just the structure of this company is a little underwhelming. I also spent a long time trying to convince myself that maybe going from running things to being an assistant just requires some well deserved humbling.
I have no idea anymore really... has anyone else had a similar experience or run the same gamut of emotions?